So with Thanksgiving upon us, here are the things I am thankful for:
2) My Husband: His name is Sam. I like to see him as a man of many hats. He is my best friend, love, coach, financial advisor, partner in crime...my life coach...my everything. He was definitely a game changer compared to my past relationships.
Let me tell you a little story about this man. Sam came into my life out of the blue. I was midway on my journey of a healthier version of me at 150-155lbs when we met through a mutual friend. Went on one date and he already proclaimed to me that I was his. I thought him to be strange. How could he be so sure?!? I mean, I was still trying to find myself. He must of saw something I didn't see at the time. I brushed it off at first until I really got to know him. He taught me valuable things in regards to working out and cleaning eating that you could never read in a textbook. Some of the stuff he says was/is so empowering. He is a philosopher in my eyes and I am sure many of my friends who know him agree. I really don't know how he comes up with some of the stuff he says but he always makes sense of it all. He is especially hard on me out of all of his clients because like he says "Kim, I just want you to be the best". He never babies me but is critical of situations and makes the best of the bad. I hate him for that but of course love him after the fact. With his help, I was able to reach my goal of losing body fat and getting down to my junior high weight of 135lbs. He helped re-shape the way I looked at things and shaped my body in the process.
My parents on the other hand decided they didn't like Sam. They thought he was just another guy. It made me so upset they couldn't see how amazing he was to me. With that, it made me withdrawn from them. I would get criticized constantly. I just had to leave. I couldn't take it anymore. I moved out temporarily to live with Sam. In the days following, I received many forms of communication from them but I didn't want to face even more criticism. I ignored their calls. I didn't respond to text messages. I even ignored messages from my siblings. Sam knew it was eating away at me. So, behind my back, he contacted them and said I was doing okay, I still loved them and were going to be attending my mother's birthday. I still remember the day and the words my mom said at her birthday. Mom: " We don't care what had happened in the past. All we care about is you and having you in our lives." After that, our relationship has never been stronger. My parents gained respect for Sam that day and now love him to death. For all that he is, I am so grateful.
He also managed to help me with my finances. I was the girl in college just walking down the halls and a rep from a credit card company calls you over. BOOM! That is how I got into trouble. GRR! My advice to young people is to just say no to credit cards. I bought Chancel this and Dior that. Little did I know, my debt keep adding and adding up. It really stressed me out. It would be in my thoughts...my dreams...my everyday life. I couldn't get away. It was only until I opened up to Sam about this dreadful problem. He helped me budget better. Sam would say stuff like: "What do you need to pay for this month?" or "Will you have enough with the hours you are working to pay of the things you need/want?" Statements like these are common in our household. Now, I do not own any credit cards and am debt free (besides the credit cards Sam owns).
He still surprises me with special recipes and romantic gestures. He makes me laugh even though it wasn't his intention. He loves me for all that I am. He gets so thrilled when something exciting happens to me. I'd definitely be lost without him. Love you babe!!!
3) My Family: I know I haven't been the most angelic child growing up. I was the one who would always make a stand. I was the one who would fight back. I was the one who would make my voice heard. I was also that naughty kid who would stay out WAY past curfew, sneak out of the house, and NEVER check in with my parents. I had the "I DO WHAT I WANT" mentality. I was a brat!!!
Luckily for me, my parents had what most have for their children, which is unconditional love. Going back to the story of how I got reconnected with my parents, it was a life changer. Our bond is the strongest it has ever been. Lots of "I Love You's" and "I Miss You's" every time we call back home. I miss them dearly but sorry folks, I don't think Sam and I will be coming back home to live anytime soon. Unless...kids...maybe move back home if we had kids. And no, we aren't trying yet if that was your next question.
4) My Friends: You guys are the backbone of my existence. All those times I would cry on your shoulder about some douche(s) dumping me for some lame reason, you were there. All the times I would get advice on this or that, you were there. All those hours of repeating the same rant OVER and OVER again, you listened anyways (no matter how redundant it was) because you cared. You were there. I have countless stories of friends who were there for me when I needed them the most. This blog could go on and on but just know that I love you and appreciate all of you that are still in my life. I feel like there should be a friend oath like they do at wedding ceremonies. "For better or for worse. For richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part." And then just pinky swear at the end of it all. Anyways, I just have to say that I am one lucky girl to have you. You know who you are.
5) My Career: It all started when Sam got word he was going to be laid off from his Winnipeg job. Luckily, he knew someone who lived out in Alberta who was able to get him a high-paying gig. Sam left within a week to start his new career in the Oil & Gas industry in October and left me behind until he came back to get me at Christmas time. After our big family dinner, we left to our new home in Leduc, Alberta. At this point, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I was SO happy in Winnipeg when I was personal training and wanted something that would give me the same joy. After weeks and weeks of searching, I finally came across something along the lines of what I had done in the past for a front desk position at the new Snap Fitness opening in town. Quickly set up and interview and met Mike (the owner) at the nearest coffee shop. Super casual interview. I answered all his questions perfectly and at the end of it he hired me. I was on top of the world. I told him it was my lucky day because it coincidently was my birthday. Happy Birthday to Kim! I found out on my first day, they hired two of us. Because our learning styles were quite different, I was able to surpass her immensely. Within just 2 1/2 months of working at Snap, they promoted me to Assistant Manager. I just couldn't believe it. A few more months (my 7th month employed) and they promoted me to Manager. I have never been more happy with my life regarding my career and finally I knew the reason why people used the statement "Passion is the difference between having a job or having a career." I live with passion each and every day I step through those doors. I love what I do and love the fact I can help others achieve their goals. After all, I have been there. I understand you.
Because of the passion and determination Sam and I have, we were given an amazing opportunity to be a part of something new and exciting to Canada. 9Round 30 minute kickboxing was presented to us late last year. We didn't know much about the company but thought it would work very well in Leduc. May 2015 is when we opened out doors and now, the doors won't stay shut. We are doing so well that we are #1 in all of Canada!!! 9Round is my husbands' baby but I am so proud of where he has taken the business.
That's why this Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful. I am blessed with all the amazing people and opportunities that have come my way. I said it before and I'll say it again. I am one lucky girl. Thanks for reading.
Question: What are you thankful for today?
-kim-
1) My Health: Ever since I started on my journey towards overall health and wellness, I'm just so grateful I am now truly on the right path. I used to brush off anything related to fitness or healthy eating.
Common dialogue:
Friend: "Kim, want to go to the gym?"
Kim: "No thank you."
Kim: "No thank you."
That was me. The girl who just kept gaining and gaining...not giving a crap at all about working out or eating healthy. I was the one waking up late at night in the house and sneaking junk food back to my bedroom to devour in minutes. I was that girl who would make a trip to the store just for junk food and stash it in my secret hiding spot for a future binge. Until one day, I decided I wasn't going to do this anymore. I needed to make a change. You have to understand that making the decision of extreme change is probably the hardest thing a person can do and is something a person has to do on their own. There is only so much a friend or family member can do. I remember conversations with family members about them saying I've gained weight or I should lose weight or the best one of them all...I shouldn't be eating SO much of that. Hearing these things discouraged me more. It made me super depressed. *Cue vicious cycle of binge eating. I realized a change this BIG had to satisfy me, myself and I. No one else. I am thankful I realized how important my health was NOW, as opposed to waiting until it was either too late or I was way older than I am now.
2) My Husband: His name is Sam. I like to see him as a man of many hats. He is my best friend, love, coach, financial advisor, partner in crime...my life coach...my everything. He was definitely a game changer compared to my past relationships.
Let me tell you a little story about this man. Sam came into my life out of the blue. I was midway on my journey of a healthier version of me at 150-155lbs when we met through a mutual friend. Went on one date and he already proclaimed to me that I was his. I thought him to be strange. How could he be so sure?!? I mean, I was still trying to find myself. He must of saw something I didn't see at the time. I brushed it off at first until I really got to know him. He taught me valuable things in regards to working out and cleaning eating that you could never read in a textbook. Some of the stuff he says was/is so empowering. He is a philosopher in my eyes and I am sure many of my friends who know him agree. I really don't know how he comes up with some of the stuff he says but he always makes sense of it all. He is especially hard on me out of all of his clients because like he says "Kim, I just want you to be the best". He never babies me but is critical of situations and makes the best of the bad. I hate him for that but of course love him after the fact. With his help, I was able to reach my goal of losing body fat and getting down to my junior high weight of 135lbs. He helped re-shape the way I looked at things and shaped my body in the process.
My parents on the other hand decided they didn't like Sam. They thought he was just another guy. It made me so upset they couldn't see how amazing he was to me. With that, it made me withdrawn from them. I would get criticized constantly. I just had to leave. I couldn't take it anymore. I moved out temporarily to live with Sam. In the days following, I received many forms of communication from them but I didn't want to face even more criticism. I ignored their calls. I didn't respond to text messages. I even ignored messages from my siblings. Sam knew it was eating away at me. So, behind my back, he contacted them and said I was doing okay, I still loved them and were going to be attending my mother's birthday. I still remember the day and the words my mom said at her birthday. Mom: " We don't care what had happened in the past. All we care about is you and having you in our lives." After that, our relationship has never been stronger. My parents gained respect for Sam that day and now love him to death. For all that he is, I am so grateful.
He also managed to help me with my finances. I was the girl in college just walking down the halls and a rep from a credit card company calls you over. BOOM! That is how I got into trouble. GRR! My advice to young people is to just say no to credit cards. I bought Chancel this and Dior that. Little did I know, my debt keep adding and adding up. It really stressed me out. It would be in my thoughts...my dreams...my everyday life. I couldn't get away. It was only until I opened up to Sam about this dreadful problem. He helped me budget better. Sam would say stuff like: "What do you need to pay for this month?" or "Will you have enough with the hours you are working to pay of the things you need/want?" Statements like these are common in our household. Now, I do not own any credit cards and am debt free (besides the credit cards Sam owns).
He still surprises me with special recipes and romantic gestures. He makes me laugh even though it wasn't his intention. He loves me for all that I am. He gets so thrilled when something exciting happens to me. I'd definitely be lost without him. Love you babe!!!
3) My Family: I know I haven't been the most angelic child growing up. I was the one who would always make a stand. I was the one who would fight back. I was the one who would make my voice heard. I was also that naughty kid who would stay out WAY past curfew, sneak out of the house, and NEVER check in with my parents. I had the "I DO WHAT I WANT" mentality. I was a brat!!!
Luckily for me, my parents had what most have for their children, which is unconditional love. Going back to the story of how I got reconnected with my parents, it was a life changer. Our bond is the strongest it has ever been. Lots of "I Love You's" and "I Miss You's" every time we call back home. I miss them dearly but sorry folks, I don't think Sam and I will be coming back home to live anytime soon. Unless...kids...maybe move back home if we had kids. And no, we aren't trying yet if that was your next question.
4) My Friends: You guys are the backbone of my existence. All those times I would cry on your shoulder about some douche(s) dumping me for some lame reason, you were there. All the times I would get advice on this or that, you were there. All those hours of repeating the same rant OVER and OVER again, you listened anyways (no matter how redundant it was) because you cared. You were there. I have countless stories of friends who were there for me when I needed them the most. This blog could go on and on but just know that I love you and appreciate all of you that are still in my life. I feel like there should be a friend oath like they do at wedding ceremonies. "For better or for worse. For richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health. Until death do us part." And then just pinky swear at the end of it all. Anyways, I just have to say that I am one lucky girl to have you. You know who you are.
5) My Career: It all started when Sam got word he was going to be laid off from his Winnipeg job. Luckily, he knew someone who lived out in Alberta who was able to get him a high-paying gig. Sam left within a week to start his new career in the Oil & Gas industry in October and left me behind until he came back to get me at Christmas time. After our big family dinner, we left to our new home in Leduc, Alberta. At this point, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I was SO happy in Winnipeg when I was personal training and wanted something that would give me the same joy. After weeks and weeks of searching, I finally came across something along the lines of what I had done in the past for a front desk position at the new Snap Fitness opening in town. Quickly set up and interview and met Mike (the owner) at the nearest coffee shop. Super casual interview. I answered all his questions perfectly and at the end of it he hired me. I was on top of the world. I told him it was my lucky day because it coincidently was my birthday. Happy Birthday to Kim! I found out on my first day, they hired two of us. Because our learning styles were quite different, I was able to surpass her immensely. Within just 2 1/2 months of working at Snap, they promoted me to Assistant Manager. I just couldn't believe it. A few more months (my 7th month employed) and they promoted me to Manager. I have never been more happy with my life regarding my career and finally I knew the reason why people used the statement "Passion is the difference between having a job or having a career." I live with passion each and every day I step through those doors. I love what I do and love the fact I can help others achieve their goals. After all, I have been there. I understand you.
Because of the passion and determination Sam and I have, we were given an amazing opportunity to be a part of something new and exciting to Canada. 9Round 30 minute kickboxing was presented to us late last year. We didn't know much about the company but thought it would work very well in Leduc. May 2015 is when we opened out doors and now, the doors won't stay shut. We are doing so well that we are #1 in all of Canada!!! 9Round is my husbands' baby but I am so proud of where he has taken the business.
That's why this Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful. I am blessed with all the amazing people and opportunities that have come my way. I said it before and I'll say it again. I am one lucky girl. Thanks for reading.
Question: What are you thankful for today?
-kim-
